Presentations

Abstract

The Hydrogen Lab Bremerhaven (HLB), operated by Fraunhofer IWES, plays a critical role in supporting the energy transition by enabling the large-scale integration of green hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources. As the hydrogen market and system integration technologies are still developing, there is a growing need for operational data to ensure reliable performance. The HLB provides a versatile infrastructure with two electrolysers (1 MW PEM, 1.3 MW alkaline), a fuel cell, a hydrogen-powered Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, and a variety of storage and peripheral systems. It is connected to an 8 MW wind turbine through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to ensure green hydrogen production. The facility also includes testing setups for offshore electrolysis and desalination processes, making it highly adaptable for research on hydrogen technologies. During its initial operational phase, HLB has gathered valuable data on system performance, including operational challenges, grid fluctuations, and interactions between hydrogen production, storage, and transport. Notable results include insights into start-up, shut-down, load ranges, and the dynamic behavior of electrolysers, as well as experience in forecasting power supply and demand to avoid trading on the intraday market. Desalination testing was conducted to simulate offshore conditions using waste heat from electrolysis. The ongoing data collection and testing at HLB are crucial for advancing the hydrogen sector, providing benchmarks for operational stability, system integration, and regulatory standards. The findings emphasize the importance of continued research, particularly in areas such as grid integration, offshore applications, and large-scale testing, to facilitate the rapid growth of green hydrogen production and establish reliable performance standards for future technologies.